Reasonable connection time on inbound international flight at PDX?
Feb 10, 2020, 5:48 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2018
Programs: AA Exec Plat, Bonvoy Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 621
Reasonable connection time on inbound international flight at PDX?
I'm looking at LAX-London flights for this summer and the nonstop options quickly get close to $1k for the dates I need (not much flexibility on when I go as the reason I'm going is for a wedding). Looking at Delta I'm seeing reasonable-ish options that involve a connection in Portland in both directions; is a 2 hour connection enough on the way back? I have Global Entry and since it's the summer I would try to get away with not checking a bag.
Feb 10, 2020, 5:57 pm
#2
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
If DL sells the connection, it is within MCT (which is 1:10). If you do misconnect, DL will need to reroute you on its next available flight. Your 2 hours is roughly 2x the MCT and should permit a leisurely transfer. In addition, as your return will be an EU departure, you will be covered by EC 261/2004 and thus be covered for at least hotels and meals if it comes to that and delay compensation of EUR 600 depending on the circumstances and length of your delay.
Feb 10, 2020, 10:33 pm
#3
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: NYC
Programs: AS 75K, DL Platinum
Posts: 631
PDX is a modestly-sized airport, and 2 hours is plenty of time.
If on the day of travel you are likely to miss your connection for some reason (delayed inbound plane for LAX-PDX, for example), there are direct LAX-LHR flights departing later in the evening DL should be able to re-route you on. Just make sure to be proactively ask for this should a problem arise. PDX-LHR itself is only once daily, so if there's a problem, you want to solve it in LHR or LAX, not PDX.
If on the day of travel you are likely to miss your connection for some reason (delayed inbound plane for LAX-PDX, for example), there are direct LAX-LHR flights departing later in the evening DL should be able to re-route you on. Just make sure to be proactively ask for this should a problem arise. PDX-LHR itself is only once daily, so if there's a problem, you want to solve it in LHR or LAX, not PDX.